My lens will not close down. The power does not stay on and will not shut the camera down properly. The camera just goes on and shuts off right away.

Answers :

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.\012

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.\012

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.\012

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.\012

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:\012

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.\012

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.\012

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.\012

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.\012

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).\012

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.\012

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.\012

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

My lens will not close down. The power does not stay on and will not shut the camera down properly. The camera just goes on and shuts off right away.

My camera turns on and shuts off right away, the lens comes outand the screen does it's opening casio thing and the green light is flashing then all of a sudden the screen goes black and the lens goes back in, i fully charged the battery and still get the same thing happening!

I dropped my camera last night with the lens open. right away i tryed to shut it off and the lens just make a noise like their tryign to shut but they dont. i left it alone for the night and this morning it still does the same thing. The lens are just stuck open and no screen even comes up when i try turning it on. Ive had this camera for about 2 years now so i dont think i still have warranty on it. What should i do?

The lens opens then shuts again right away, and it is fully charged. I can review the pictures when I go under my favorites, but when I try to take a picture the camera shuts off right quick.

Hi there. Turn on. Before it beeps, take the battery's out. This may take some practice. Now us a Qtip almost soaked in rubbing alcohol and clean the outside edges of the lenses. Put battery's back in and cycle the camera on and off. I hope this work ...
Digital Cameras

Frozen Open I work at a movie store, and was taking pictures of some movies, and had some customers, so walked away from camera, it was still on and focus out. When i returned, the camera was off, but focus was still out. it's done that many times, and all i have to do is turn it back on and it will shut close. now, today i go to do the same thing, it wont even shut on. and when it does, the screen goes blue like normal and at the bottom of the screen it says E106 is this fixable?

I hate to post without offering a solution and while checking for a possible error code list for the camera, I ran across this:\015\012\015\012 ...
HP Photosmart 735 Digital Camera

When turned on, lens goes out then right back in, eventually camera shuts off. view mode OK.

This might be an E18 lens error issue. Here's some things that you can do to try to correct it. Have already fixed several cameras with this problem by using these methods:\015\012http://www.e18error.com/repair.html ...
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My camera was working fine and then it gently rolled on to the rug and then it never worked right since. I got the code in the corner of the display E18 and I cannot do a darn thing with the camera now. Should I just chuck it ? ??? Its a cannon power shot A400. (When I turn it on the display light comes on and it beeps numberous times and then the E18 signal comes on and then it goes away and the camera turns off. I do not even think the shutter opens up ) The batteries are charged so what now.

When I put my camera on(olypmus stylus 730), there is a whizzing sound, the camera goes on but turn off right away. I think that this is because the lense is blocked, in fact it's open but does'nt want to close...
I tried to dissassmble the camera but I did'nt know how to do it
Please tell me how to resolve this probles

A gear in the lens is broken and needs repair, quite a tricky job, best option is to replace the whole lens from a faulty one or get one with a broken screen and use yours to fix it (see ebay) ...
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Battery issue Hi, I've owned this camera for about 1 year. In the last couple of months the red battery icon will flash and the camera will shut down thinking it has dead batteries. The problem is, we may put in brand new batteries or fully charged re-chargable batteries and the icon is there right away. Does the mini battery inside need to replaced? If that isn't the problem then I have no idea what is wrong with thing......my last camera did the same thing (Fugi)

Sorry for the late response (don't know how I missed this post?). \015\012Some of The Canon Powershot A530 and A540 cameras are subject to an advisory recall. Seems that a small spring on the battery compartment door can short out the batteries. Susp ...
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EX-S880 Shutdown I have a problem with my camera where it will automatically shut down as soon as I push the shutter button. The on/off button will not turn the camera on, but it will turn it off. I can turn it on by pressing the play or record button. I can also record with it as well. I just cannot take snapshots--it powers down right away. Anyone else have this problem? I've only had the camera for about a week.

First off make sure that the battery when charging is a solid red light and NOT flashing. If it's flashing that means we have a problem with the battery. Make sure you are only using a Toshiba, Panasonic or Sandisc memory card that is n ...
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Lens error When camera is turned on the lens will come out and then right away goes back in-an error message says lens error restart camera

Did you try replacing batteries.will it turn on long enough to restore it?if this is a new camera send it back it could be a software issue or mechanical breakage.Also get a can of air and blow the lens off to ensure no debris is ho ...
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When i turn on my camera, it shuts off right away. the battery is fully charged and it stills shuts off.

Your problem may be due to corrosion on the battery contacts inside the camera\015\012which can prevent the full power of the batteries from flowing into the\015\012camera. Try this free fix before you do anything else: remove the batteries and wip ...
Kodak EasyShare M1033 Digital Camera

When I turn on my camera it shuts off right away,i charged it many time for many hours, but no luck,it kees shutting down

By now you may have "cooked the battery!" you can over charge a battery,,,and if you do its then a dust bin job,,,try a new battery in it first,,,, ...
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Camera keeps shuting off When I power on the camera it shuts off right away. The batteries are good sony cybershot model dsc-s60

If the camera has recently been dropped you may have lens damage that\015\012is preventing it from powering up. If it hasn't been dropped your\015\012problem\015\012may be due to corrosion on the battery\015\012contacts inside the camera which can\0 ...
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Have a Pentax Optio S 12 Digital Camera - battery shows charged - when put in camera and turn on it goes off right away

The battery may be exhausted, especially if it is the original battery. Batteries have a definite life, so I would start by trying a new battery. If that is not the problem it will need to be sent off for repair. ...
Digital Cameras

Stripes When I take my pictures pale yellow stripes appear across the screen. I changed the batteries, changed the card and nothing helps. My camera is not even a year old.
when I take a photo there are light stripes across the image, somtimes if I wipe the screen it goes away but when I shut the camera,the next time I open it it happens agin! how can I fix this,is the lens sticky? or getting stuck? what can I do about it?

Camera turns on, and then turns off again right away

My M1033 had the same problem...I found a blog about someone using air to clean around the lens area...I cleaned my lens very thoroughly and noticed some gunk and once I cleaned this off, the camera seems to work like new! ...
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Have canon pc1234 and has new batteries and when you turn it on it goes to change batteries and it is usually in the upper right corner upside down and the camera just shuts it self off. do i have a wrong setting or something

Camera turns on and shuts off right away ? New batteries

Try cleaning the battery compartment contacts with a Q-Tip dampened not soaked in rubbing alcohol. Also clean the battery and the charger contacts also. ...
HP Photosmart 935 Digital Camera

When I turn my camera on it makes funny noises and tries to open up but then closes right away it does this a few times then shuts and the screen turns blue and says D:?????? D:?????

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I dropped my Nikon Coolpix S600 camera on the floor at a concert and now when I turn it on, it says LENSE ERROR and shuts off right away.. and the lens doesnt come out. It just makes a weird noise! Is it done for or can I fix it. I can't get it fixed.

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When turn on camera to take picture shuts off right away. will stay on to view pictures. tried two different batterys.

Your problem\015\012may be due to corrosion on the battery contacts inside the camera which can\015\012prevent the full power of the batteries from flowing into the camera.\015\012Try this free fix before you do anything else: remove th ...
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We have a Panasonic DMC ZS3 camera that has been working fine until now. We are on the North West coast of Costa Rica. When you turn the camera on, the lens, which was out when shut off, goes in, then comes back out. The camera screen tries to focus, then goes to a blank screen and says "SYSTEM ERROR (FOCUS). When you shut it off, the lens does not retract.

Camera shuts down after shutter button is pressed. It shuts down halfway through the shutter operation.
Everything else works fine-reviewing pictures, settings in menu, focusing, exposure settings etc.
The camera focuses ok when the shutter button is half pressed then when you press the shutter button fully, the mirror goes up, shutter appears to open then the camera shuts down with no power.
Only way to get mirror etc back to normal is to remove the battery and refit. When camera is turned b